Reuters Health News Summary

August 13, 2012|Reuters

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Obama pushes for state help on health exchanges

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration this weekwill try to encourage reluctant U.S. states to move forwardwith health insurance exchanges amid fears that time is runningout for states to act on a reform provision meant to extendcoverage to millions of low-to-moderate income uninsuredAmericans. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hasscheduled four regional meetings this month to discuss theexchanges and other aspects of President Barack Obama'shealthcare reform law with state officials and others.

FTC says drug patent settlements used to delay generics

2012-08-13T203531Z_1_BRE87C10B_RTROPTC_0_US-FTC-GENERICS.XML ()-

Mississippi most obese state, Colorado slimmest: study

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Among U.S. states, Mississippi hasthe highest proportion of obese adults at 34.9 percent, andColorado has the lowest, according to a survey released onMonday. Mississippi heads 12 states with adult obesity rates ofmore than 30 percent, trailed by Louisiana and West Virginia,according to the report by the Trust for America's Health(TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Weight gain slower where school-food laws are strong

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Regulating the foods andbeverages sold outside of federal meal programs at schools mayhelp curb the child obesity epidemic, suggests a U.S. studyreleased Monday. Researchers found that fifth graders in stateswith strong ``competitive food laws'' packed on fewer pounds thandid kids in states with no such legislation.

Preschoolers' snoring tied to behavior problems

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Preschoolers who habituallysnore may be at greater risk of behavioral problems than otherkids their age, a study published Monday suggests. Researchersfound that two- and three-year-olds who snored loudly at leasta couple of times per week tended to have more problems withinattention and hyperactivity.

Hospital patients often sent home with pending tests

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - More than one-third of hospitalpatients have at least one test result pending or otherwise notreviewed by the time they're discharged, according to a newAustralian study. Those results are often from tests done on apatient's final day in the hospital, researchers found - and upto one in seven of them may be abnormal.

Doctor incentives tied to better teen drug treatment

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Therapists seeing teen drug andalcohol users delivered more complete treatment when they wereoffered bonuses based on quantity and quality of patient care,a new study has found. Those kinds of incentives - known aspay-for-performance - have become more popular as healthsystems try to align benefits for providers with best practicesand actual patient outcomes.

5-Hour Energy maker plans candy bar that staves off hunger

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Building on the success of its 5-HourEnergy shot and a recent debt offering, Michigan-based LivingEssentials LLC is looking at acquisitions and working to launcha low-calorie snack bar it says can stave off hunger for threehours. The bar will have 95 calories and taste ``as good as anycandy you've ever had,'' according to Manoj Bhargava, thecompany's chief executive.